Time interval computing means



June 9, 1964 M. R. SPEISER TIME INTERVAL COMPUTING MEANS Filed April 25, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet l I I W RELAY E E QB DRIVER CONTROL /2 I 6 MIKE FIRST RESET AMPLIFIER FLIP FLOD a TIMER 33 PHOTO-CELL AMPLIFIER 2/ a SHADER ELECTFZONIC Z/ ON OFF COUNTER sjfig g GATE AND vIsuAI.

INDICATOR June 9, 1964 M. R. SPEISER TIME INTERVAL COMPUTING MEANS Z'SheetS-Sheet 2 Filed April 25, 1965 mu w United States Patent 3,136,117 TIME INTERVAL COMPUTING MEANS Maximilian Richard Speiser, 17 W. 60th St., New York, NY. Filed Apr. 25, 1963, Ser. No. 275,763

4 Claims. (Q1. 58-445) This invention relates generally to the field of computing devices, and more particularly to an improved Inechanical-type computing device adapted to compute relative small time intervals. While not limited in specific application to computer-type golf games, I have chosen to illustrate the invention in conjunction with this type of amusement device. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the invention has application to a wide number of other fields requiring a simple but accurate time computing device.

In my co-pending application Ser. No. 34,812, now Patent No. 3,091,466, filed June 8, 1960, entitled Computer-Type Golf Game, I have disclosed a device for simulating a golf driving range, having means for computing projected yardage of an individual golf stroke in terms of elapsed time from point of impact until the ball strikes a net approximately 25 or 30 feet from the point of driving. By the use of a simple binary computer, and the approximation of the curved trajectory of the ball by providing two intersecting lines, as disclosed in said application, the computer device was materially simplified as contrasted with earlier constructions.

The present invention lies in the provision of still further simplification of devices of this type, whereby greater accuracy is obtained in conjunction with still further mechanical simplification.

It is among the principal objects of the present invention to provide an improved means for computing elapsed time of the flight of a ball as used in computer-type golf games, in which many electronic components used in the prior art have been eliminated.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved time computing means which may be of greater inherent reliability than existing prior art types.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved time computing means for use in conjunction with a computer-type golf game in which the cost of fabrication has been materially reduced, as contrasted with prior art constructions.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved time computing means in which the actual trajectory of the ball may be projected, as contrasted with prior art constructions in which only an approximation is possible.

A feature of the invention lies in the fact that the novel construction disclosed herein may be incorporated into existing computer-type golf games, with little modification of existing structure.

Another feature of the invention lies in the fact that the accuracy of the computing means is not dependent upon the size of the same, or its number of informationretaining components.

These objects and features, aswell as other incidental ends and advantages, will more fully appear in the progress of the following disclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, to which reference will be made in the specification, similar reference characters have been em ployed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIGURE 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a schematic view of the time computer means comprising a part of the embodiment.

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FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary sectional view as seen from the plane 3-3 in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a schematic side elevational view of an alternate form of the embodiment.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary elevational view as seen from the left hand portion of FIGURE 4.

In accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated by reference character 10, is illustrated in FIG- URE 1 to include: a microphone element 11; a first flipflop circuit 12; a relay driver 13; a relay and motor control 14; a motor driven tape unit 15; first and second photocell sensing units 16 and 17, respectively; a photocell amplifier and shaper element 18; an electronic counter and visual indicator or read-out 19; a gating element 20; a plurality of photocell elements 21; and a reset and timer element 22. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the disclosed construction is intended to replace certain of the elements disclosed in my abovementioned co-pending application Serial No. 34,812, to which reference is made. For example, the microphone element 11 is similar, as is the amplifier 23. The first flip-flop circuitelement 12 may be of any suitable type, as, for example, a monostable multivibrator, which selectively operates the relay driver 13 which in turn controls the relay and motor control 14. The control 14 may include a transistorized circuit of well-known type, to stabilize the voltage which drives the tape unit 15, wherein the same may operate at a uniform speed.

The tape unit 15 is best understood from a consideration of FIGURE 2 in the drawings, and includes a motor element 28, having a motion output shaft 29 upon which a driving drum 30 is mounted. The outer surface of the drum 30 is provided with a plurality of sprocket-like teeth 32 disposed in a median plane perpendicular to the axis thereof. An idler drum 33 also includes an outer surface 34 having similar teeth 35 which are adapted to engage corresponding openings 36 in a flexible opaque tape 37. The motor element 28 is of a specialized type adapted to be operated on direct current, in which the armature thereof is of a skeletonized construction to possess a minimum of rotating mass, this construction permitting the motor to be started and stopped almost instanteously, with little rotational inertia involved in accelerating to or decelerating from operating speed.

The first photocell sensing unit 16 is best seen in FIG URE 3, and includes a grooved casing 38 having a continuous slot 39 therein through which portions of the tape 37 may pass. Disposed in the upper portion of the casing 38 is an exciter light 40, and positioned in a corresponding lower part of the casing 38 is a photocell 41. Openings 42 and 43 permit the passage of light rays from the light 4t) to the photocell 41 when a corresponding opening in the tape 37 is positioned opposite the openings 42 and 43, "the purpose of which will more fully appear hereinafter.

The second photocell sensing unit 17 is generally similar, but includes two photocells 44 and 45 (see FIGURE 2) instead of a single cell. A common source of illumination (not shown) may be used to operate both cells.

Referring again to the tape 37, as seen in FIGURE 2, the tape includes a single rightwardly disposed through opening 48 which is selectively positionable within the first photocell sensing unit 16 to provide a signal which will stop the motor element 28. Leftwardly of the openings 36 are two rows of openings 50 and 51, respectively, which are selectively positionable between the photocells of the second unit 17. It will be observed that the openings 50 are not equally spaced, but are spaced progressively further apart from each other, commencing from a first opening 62 to a last opening 63.

The electronic counter and visual indicator 19 may be of the same type as that illustrated in my co-pending application Ser. No. 34,812, to include a simple means for storing the pulses received from the first row of openings 50, and translating them to visual read-out means.

The gating element 20 is under control of the photocell elements 21 which are incorporated in the net against which a golf ball is driven, as disclosed in my co-pending application Ser. No. 34,812, and includes a selectively conductive tube which operates the reset and timer element 22, which in turn controls the flip-flop circuit 12.

Operation As is known in the art, computer-type golf games in operation estimate projected distances of an individual golf stroke by measuring the time of flight of the ball from the moment the club head strikes the ball until the ball impinges upon a receiving net to actuate the photocell elements 21. As distance attained depends to a large degree upon the initial velocity of the ball, it follows that the shorter the elapsed time of flight as measured d from the time of contact of the ball by the club until the same strikes the net, the greater the projected distance. Further, depending upon the initial velocity of the ball, fixed increments of distance will require increasing periods of time to be traversed, owing to the fact that the ball, as it travels, is constantly losing velocity. As shown in my co-pendin'g application Ser. No. 34,812, it is possible to plot the trajectory of the golf ball, and from such a graph the amount of time required for the ball to travel, for example, a five-yard increment may be readily determined. Referring again to the tape 37 shown in FIGURE 2, it will be observed that the openings in the first row of openings 5t are spaced in proportion to the amount of time required to traverse the distance'of a predetermined increment commencing from a maximum predetermined estimated velocity. Each of the openings corresponds to the predetermined increment (in the present embodiment, five-yard increments have been considered suitable).

As it is desirable to change the scene viewed by the player behind the arresting net incorporating the photocell elements 21, to indicate progress toward the green, the projector which displays the scene should change slides in accordance with predetermined attained distance. This may be simultaneously accommodated by the second row of openings '51, by placing one such opening opposite each fifth opening 50, so that with the attainment of each twenty-five yards, a pulse is delivered directly to a projector control switch 65 (see FIGURE 1) to actuate the projector to advance to the next slide for each twenty-five yards attained.

As the ball is struck, the signal is picked up by the microphone element 11, and, suitably amplified, the same operates the first flip-flop circuit 12, relay driver 13, and relay and motor control 14, to commence operation of the motor element 28. As the ball actuates the photocell elements 21, a signal is transmitted to the gating element 20, which actuates the photocell amplifier and shaper element 18 to commence counting pulses formed by the passing of the openings 5d beneath the second photocell sensing unit 17. Pulses are then transmitted to the electronic counter and visual indicator 19 for a visual read-out in terms of yardage. Where the maximum yardage capable of measurement is attained, that is to say where the drive commenced with maximum velocity, the gating element 2%) will be actuated before the first opening 62 has passed beneath the unit 17, and all of the openings in the row of openings 50 will be counted, with the result that maximum yardage is indicated by the indicator 19. Where less than maximum yardage is attained, the first opening 62 will have passed beneath the unit 17 prior to actuation of the gating element 20, so that all of the openings in the row of openings 50 will not be counted, and a correspondingly lower score will be indicated, directly proportional to the initial velocity of the drive. In the case where the ball does not reach the net to actuate the photocell elements 21, none of the openings in the row of openings 50 are counted, and no score is indicated. After the last opening 63 has passed the sensing unit 16, the motor element 28 continues to run until the single opening 48 passes beneath the sensing unit 17, where a single pulse is generated which is transmitted to the relay and motor control 14 to stop the operation of the motor element 28 at a predetermined point. The device It) is then ready for a second stroke by the player. The reset and timer element 22, which consists of a simple electronic timer, is also actuated by the first flip-flop circuit 12, and after the passage of a sufiicient period of time, the same restores the flip-flop 12 to condition to receive a second signal from the microphone element ill. A similar signal is provided to the gating element 24) to permit further signals to be passed by the gating element to the photocell amplifier and shaper 18.

in the alternate form of the embodiment shown in FIGURES 4 and 5 in the drawings, the tape 37 is substituted by a drum 67 having side walls 68 and 69. The.

Walls 68 and 69 have sets of openings 7% and 71 corresponding to openings 5d and 51 of the principal form of the embodiment, disposed opposite a photo sensing unit 72, while a similar sensing unit 73 is operated by a single opening '75 in the wall 6?- I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention limited to the precise details of structure shown and set forth in this specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

I claim:

1. In a computing device for measuring the projected trajector of a golf ball in terms of estimated distance, including means generating a first signal at the commencement of flight of said golf ball, and means generating a second signal upon contact of the golf ball with an intercepting means, improved means for translating elapsed time between said first and second signals, comprising: a movable member having a series of spaced indicia thereon, pulse-generating sensing means lying adjacent the path of movement of said movable member for sensing said indicia, motor means for moving said movable member past said sensing means at uniform speed in a circuitous path of motion, means for arresting said motor means at a predetermined starting position, means for starting said motor means from said starter position upon receipt of said first signal, means for actuating said sensing means upon receipt of said second signal, counting means for receiving generated pulses from said sensing means, and visual indicator means actuated by said counting means for displaying total pulses counter after receipt of said second signal and operation of said means for arresting said motor means.

2. In a computing device for measuring the projected trajectory of a golf ball in terms of estimated distance, including means generating a first signal at the commencement of flight of said golf ball, and means generating a second signal upon contact of the golf ball with an intercepting means, improved means for translating elapsed time between said first and second signals, comprising: a movable member having a series of spaced indicia thereon, pulse-generating sensing means lying adjacent the path of movement of said movable member for sensing said indicia, motor means for moving said movable member past said sensing means at uniform speed in a circuitous path of motion, means for arresting said motor means at a predetermined starting position, means for starting said motor means from said starter position upon receipt of said first signal, means for actuating said sensing means upon receipt of said second signal, counting means for receiving generated pulses from said sensing means, and visual indicator means actuated by said counting means for displaying total pulses counted after receipt of said second signal and operation of said means for arresting said motor means, said indicia being non-equally spaced along said movable member.

3. In a computing device for measuring the projected trajectory of a golf ball in terms of estimated distance, including means generating a first signal at the commencement of flight of said golf ball, and means generating a second signal upon contact of the golf ball with an intercepting means, improved means for translating elapsed time between said first and second signals, comprising: a movable tape having a series of spaced indicia thereon, pulse-generating sensing means lying adjacent the path of movement of said movable tape for sensing said indicia, motor means for moving said movable tape past said sensing means at uniform speed in a circuitous path of motion, means for arresting said motor means at a predetermined starting position, means for starting said motor means from said starter position upon receipt of said first signal, means for actuating said sensing means upon receipt of said second signal, counting means for receiving generated pulses from said sensing means, and visual indicator means actuated by said counting means for dis playing total pulses counted after receipt of said second signal and operation of said means for arresting said motor means.

4. In a computing device for measuring the projected trajectory of a golf ball in terms of estimated distance, including means generating a first signal at the commencement of flight of said golf ball, and means generating a second signal upon contact of the golf ball with an intercepting means, improved means for translating elapsed time between said first and second signals, comprising: a movable tape having a series of spaced indicia thereon,

generated pulses from said sensing means, and visual in- 1 dicator means actuated by said counting means for displaying total pulses counted after receipt of said second signal and operation of said means for arresting said motor means, said indicia being non-equally spaced along said movable tape.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,137,427 Schaif Apr. 27, 1915 2,080,330 Ottaway May 11, 1937 2,157,572 Roberts May 9, 1939 2,224,395 Kemmerer Dec. 10, 1940 2,229,324 Gordon Jan. 21, 1941 2,239,894 Keen Apr. 29, 1941 2,251,250 Keen July 29, 1941 2,255,266 Moorefield Sept. 9, 1941 2,351,707 Rouprich June 20, 1944 2,482,615 Fowler Sept. 20, 1949 2,807,664 Kleinberg et a1 Sept. 24, 1957 2,852,305 Shaffer Sept. 16, 1958 3,041,597 Naxon June 26, 1962 

1. IN A COMPUTING DEVICE FOR MEASURING THE PROJECTED TRAJECTORY OF A GOLF BALL IN TERMS OF ESTIMATED DISTANCE, INCLUDING MEANS GENERATING A FIRST SIGNAL AT THE COMMENCEMENT OF FLIGHT OF SAID GOLF BALL, AND MEANS GENERATING A SECOND SIGNAL UPON CONTACT OF THE GOLF BALL WITH AN INTERCEPTING MEANS, IMPROVED MEANS FOR TRANSLATING ELAPSED TIME BETWEEN SAID FIRST AND SECOND SIGNALS, COMPRISING: A MOVABLE MEMBER HAVING A SERIES OF SPACED INDICIA THEREON, PULSE-GENERATING SENSING MEANS LYING ADJACENT THE PATH OF MOVEMENT OF SAID MOVABLE MEMBER FOR SENSING SAID INDICIA, MOTOR MEANS FOR MOVING SAID MOVABLE MEMBER PAST SAID SENSING MEANS AT UNIFORM SPEED IN A CIRCUITOUS PATH OF MOTION, MEANS FOR ARRESTING SAID MOTOR MEANS AT A PREDETERMINED STARTING POSITION, MEANS FOR STARTING SAID MOTOR MEANS FROM SAID STARTER POSITION UPON RECEIPT OF SAID FIRST SIGNAL, MEANS FOR ACTUATING SAID SENSING MEANS UPON RECEIPT OF SAID SECOND SIGNAL, COUNTING MEANS FOR RECEIVING GENERATED PULSES FROM SAID SENSING MEANS, AND VISUAL INDICATOR MEANS ACTUATED BY SAID COUNTING MEANS FOR DISPLAYING TOTAL PULSES COUNTER AFTER RECEIPT OF SAID SECOND SIGNAL AND OPERATION OF SAID MEANS FOR ARRESTING SAID MOTOR MEANS. 